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Method and apparatus for identifying regions of interest in medical imaging data

a technology of medical imaging and region identification, applied in image analysis, instruments, image enhancement, etc., can solve the problems of course requiring further steps, time and cost, and the inability to use mip-based features for interacting with the mprs, etc., and achieve the effect of simple and automaticity

Active Publication Date: 2015-08-25
SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach allows for the automated identification and visualization of 'hidden' hotspots in MIP images, facilitating quicker and more comprehensive analysis without relying solely on MPRs, thereby reducing time and costs.

Problems solved by technology

This of course requires further steps, time and costs.
In addition, although MIP-hidden hotspots may be visible in the MPRs, any MIP-based features for interacting with the MPRs will not be available; for example, clicking on the hotspot in the MIP to center the crosshairs in the MPR, or clicking on the hotspot in the MIP to segment it.

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus for identifying regions of interest in medical imaging data
  • Method and apparatus for identifying regions of interest in medical imaging data
  • Method and apparatus for identifying regions of interest in medical imaging data

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Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0032]When the following terms are used herein with the accompanying definitions:

[0033]PET—Positron Emission Tomography

[0034]SUV—Standardized Uptake Value

[0035]FDG—F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose, a PET radiotracer

[0036]MIP—Maximum Intensity Projection (or Minimum Intensity Projection, usually denoted MinIP)

[0037]MRI—Magnetic Resonance Imaging

[0038]ROI / VOI—Region / volume of interest.

[0039]Segmentation—the process of labeling voxels as belonging to different classes. For example, in a medical image, each voxel may be labeled according to its tissue type.

[0040]CT—Computed Tomography

[0041]MPR—Multi-Planar Reconstruction

[0042]One embodiment of the invention first identifies all hotspots above some specified intensity threshold in the image volume, then for each 2D image representing a visualized MIP angle it checks whether each hotspot is also represented as a local maxima. If so, then it is visualized on the MIP (providing there is sufficient contrast between hotspot and background at the displ...

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Abstract

In a method and apparatus for identifying a region of interest in medical imaging data of a subject is described, an intensity projection image is generated from the medical imaging data. The medical imaging data is then processed to find one or more maxima in the medical imaging data. The found maxima are compared with the intensity projection image, and one of the maxima which is not represented in the intensity projection image is identified.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention is directed to methods and apparatus for identifying regions of interest in medical imaging data, particularly in imaging data represented in an intensity projection image, such as an MIP (Maximum Intensity Projection).[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]In the medical imaging field, several imaging schemes are known. For example PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a method for imaging a subject in 3D using an injected radio-active substance which is processed in the body, typically resulting in an image indicating one or more biological functions. Other such functional imaging modalities are known, such as SPECT.[0005]In such functional images, many important pathologies and anatomical structures appear as very high (or low) intensities. For example, a tumor in an FDG-PET image will often appear as a bright region or “hotspot”.[0006]A Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) image is a useful way to v...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06K9/00G06K9/62G06T15/08G06T7/00G06K9/32G06K9/46G06V10/25
CPCG06K9/62G06K9/3233G06K9/4647G06T7/0012G06T15/08G06T2207/10104G06T2207/10108G06T2207/20068G06T2207/30096G06V10/25G06V10/507G06T2207/10072
Inventor KELLY, MATTHEW DAVID
Owner SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA INC